Al Wafa School for Capacity Development

The first school for intellectual disabilities in the UAE

About Al Wafa School for Capacity Development

Establishment

With the beginning of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Al Wafa School for Capacity Development (Institute of Intellectual Education) was established in 1984 and is considered the first school for intellectual disabilities in the UAE.
Over the past years, the school has provided decent and appropriate service to people with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder, according to the latest methods and means.

Type of Disability

  • Mental disabilities.
  • Multiple disabilities.
  • Autism spectrum disorder.

Age group

Al Wafaa School receives age groups from 5 years to 16 years.

Curricula and assessment tools

AlWafa School adopts several curricula and assessment tools

  • PORTAGE Early Learning Program
  • Child-directed intervention strategies - the Van Dijk approach
  • PEP-3 curriculum Psycho-educational profile
  • TTAP approach
  • TEACCH curriculum
  • A classroom-to-work environment approach
  • Ministry of Education curriculum

Services

The center currently provides the main services, and each service includes a set of supportive services

  • Evaluation and diagnosis.
  • Positive behavior support programs.
  • Educational classes training services.
  • Family counseling and home training services.
  • Beneficiaries nominated for inclusive education receive a school readiness program.
  • Supportive therapeutic services (speech and language - physical therapy - occupational therapy - music therapy).
  • Supporting activities (sports - music - art education - home economics - handicrafts - computers - Quran and Tajweed).
  • Self-advocacy training programs.
  • Supportive technology services.
  • Community awareness of mental disability.
  • Training and consulting services.

Achievements

Most important achievements and awards

  • CARF accreditation (youth and children’s services).
  • Membership in the UNESCO Network Project
  • Smart Learning.
  • Student Council .
  • Self-advocacy.
  • Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Award for Childhood Creativity 2016.
  • Sanabel El Mahabba Festival.
To view the list of awards received by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, click here -

Contact us


Admission to SCHS

Registration and Admission at Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services Procedures for registering new students:

  • First:
    • Attend in person to register at the Social Service Department, in the administration building during official working hours.
    • Register using a valid original ID.
    • Provide a recent medical report from an accredited entity / Provide a psychological educational report (if available).
    • The center is determined based on age group and type of disability.
  • Second:
    • The school or center's social worker will contact to schedule a personal interview.
    • Communicate with the family and inform them of the beneficiary's file acceptance if conditions are met.
    • The social worker completes registration data, including filling out the social case study.
    • The social worker receives the required documents and health reports as mandatory attachments for the admission process.
  • Third:
  • Fourth:
    • The beneficiary joins the services of the SCHS
  • Fifth: